A great read -- The Masterpiece

Francine Rivers books don't come out very often -- but when they do, they are certainly worth the wait.

The Masterpiece is an amazing story of hurts, fears, struggles, love and redemption with twists and turns in many directions that keep you turning the page. Several times I intended to put the book down when I finished the chapter I was on, but when that chapter ended, there was no way to stop.

Roman, Grace, and their family and friends all are dealing with their own pasts -- pasts that are drastically different, yet the same in so many ways. God's love, shared in a variety of ways, makes  unbelievable differences in so many of those lives.

The Masterpiece is not a short, quick read, but reading it is worth every one of the almost 500 pages. I highly recommend this book for fans of great inspirational fiction.

Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for providing a copy of this book. I am pleased to share my personal thoughts in this review.

About the Book:

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want—money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist—an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship—and both their lives—forever.

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Visit Francine online at www.francinerivers.com and connect with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers) and Twitter (@FrancineRivers).

A Touching Story -- The Melody of the Soul

Well-written World War II stories fascinate me -- both the horror of what so many innocent people endured and the strength and heroism shown by those who openly or quietly fought against the atrocities. In The Melody of the Soul  Liz Tolsma did an excellent job of crafting characters of all those types in a story that reaches to the heart on several levels.

As is true in so many areas in real life, people of a certain group can't all be lumped into the same description with all the same ideas, plans, actions, etc. Liz's characters fit that same pattern. The fears, the uncertainties, and the hurts that are shared by the Jews, the Christians, and even the German officials drew me into their lives in ways that I didn't always expect. The unifying element of music and what it meant to the characters was a beautiful touch to the story.

I highly recommend The Melody of the Soul for anyone interested in World Word II fiction.  Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing a copy of this book.  I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book:

Anna has one chance for survival—and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.It’s 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she’ll do anything to keep her safe—a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them. 

Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them. 

Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the Author:

Best-selling novelist Liz Tolsma is the author of several World War II novels and prairie romance novellas. She also works as a freelance editor. She lives in a semirural area of Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. Her son serves with the US Marines. All of their chidlren came to them through international adoption. Her other passions include walking, gardening, camping, and reading. Find out more about Liz at http://www.liztolsma.com.

UPDATE: Best in the Series -- A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill

UPDATE: I finally got around to reading this book in order to give an actual review, instead of just highlighting it!

I knew I was in for a great read in another Huckleberry Hill story, and I think A Courtship on Huckleberry Hill is Jennifer's best yet.

The characters in this story are so great to get to know and watch their development. Elsie is a great, caring teacher -- even if her methods sometime ruffle the feathers of parents and school board members. Sam is a young man saddled with guilt, while trying to do what he thinks is best for his family. Wally is a young boy using his physical limitations to manipulate most everyone around him, instead of learning to let his true character come out. There are lots of problems and near disasters that come out when these personalities collide -- but still lots of fun, just like you would expect on Huckleberry Hill.

In spite of Anna Helmuth's attempts to bring her granddaughter Elsie together with her "perfect match," it looks like she might not be successful this time. But even Anna is amazed with her own matchmaking skills before this one is over!

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Original "highlight" post with Celebrate Lit's book tour.

If you haven't read any of Jennifer Beckstrand's Huckleberry Hill stories . . . well, you have missed a treat. Anna and Felty Helmuth have a special "gift" for matchmaking with their grandchildren . . . whether they are interested in matches or not. These are Amish love stories . . . but with a twist of fun that you just don't find in the typical story in the genre.

Because of health problems, I haven't had a chance to read this book yet, but I have NO DOUBT that it will be just as good as the others. So give me a few days, drop back back by, and give me a chance to fill you in on the fun. Or even better, pick up your own copy and tell me what fun you found in the story.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for sharing a copy of this new Huckleberry Hill story!

About the Book:

Elsie Helmuth’s plain-spoken ways got her in trouble once before, so she needs to make a good impression at her new teaching job. But she’s not about to let disabled student Wally Sensenig work below his potential. And she definitely won’t put up with his hot-headed older brother sabotaging her efforts, no matter how handsome he is. . .

Sam is nearly at the end of his rope caring for his ailing, widowed mother, working their farm, and raising his siblings. He’ll admit Elsie’s ideas are bringing Wally out of his angry shell—but why does she have to be as stubborn as she is pretty? Yet as it turns out, Elsie has taught Sam something about himself as well. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes—and win her heart forever.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author:

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated, award-winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Her much-anticipated Amish series, The Honeybee Sisters, has created a lot of romantic buzz. Sweet as Honey received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and Sweet as Honey and A Bee in her Bonnet were both awarded Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-three years, and she has six children and six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.


Guest Post from Jennifer Beckstrand:

I have a very special place in my heart for teachers. My dad was a high school math teacher. My mother taught second grade for over twenty years. My son-in-law taught choir in high school, and my daughter taught seventh-grade science. Another daughter taught American history labs at the university and still another daughter taught classes for a youth summer program.

Elsie Stutzman is a dedicated teacher who was dismissed from her last teaching job in Ohio and is trying to make a fresh start and a good impression in Bonduel, Wisconsin. Unfortunately one of her students, Wally Sensenig, is making things difficult for her, and Wally’s hot-headed older brother seems determined to get her fired. But Elsie is a dedicated teacher, too stubborn to back down and too steadfast to give up on anybody.

Elsie’s grandparents, Anna and Felty Helmuth, have other plans for her. They want her to fall in love with one of the local boys, but they’re finding it a little difficult to get the two young people together.

Teachers have an immense impact on our lives. We all remember a favorite elementary school teacher who inspired a love of learning or a high school teacher who encouraged us to reach for greatness. One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Zobell, who taught ninth grade English. I distinctly remember her reading “The Outsiders” out loud to our class. She had a way of making great books and great stories come to life, and she sparked a love of reading (and writing) that I will always be grateful for. The teacher who had the most impact on my life is my dad. He helped me through Calculus in high school and inspired me to major in math in college.

I hope we will take the time this month to thank the teachers in our lives for all they do for us and all they do for our kids.

Who was one of your favorite teachers and why?